PERIOD 2: THE GREY ZONE

This week you watched The Grey Zone. The film is based in part on the eyewitness account of Dr. Miklos Nyiszli (He is pictured above wearing the white lab coat. The photo was taken after the camp had been liberated by the Russians.)  Dr. Nyiszli was a Hungarian Jew selected by Dr. Josef Mengele to be the head pathologist at Auschwitz while Mengele carried out his infamous experiments on children who were twins. The film showcases the moral dilemma of the Sonderkommando Jews and follows their plans to carry out the armed revolt that blew up two of the crematoriums at Auschwitz-Birkenau. Please post your reflections about the film.

PERIOD 4: THE GREY ZONE

This week you watched The Grey Zone. The film is based in part on the eyewitness account of Dr. Miklos Nyiszli (He is pictured above wearing the white lab coat. The photo was taken after the camp had been liberated by the Russians.)  Dr. Nyiszli was a Hungarian Jew selected by Dr. Josef Mengele to be the head pathologist at Auschwitz while Mengele carried out his infamous experiments on children who were twins. The film showcases the moral dilemma of the Sonderkommando Jews and follows their plans to carry out the armed revolt that blew up two of the crematoriums at Auschwitz-Birkenau. Please post your reflections about the film.

PERIOD 6: THE GREY ZONE

This week you watched The Grey Zone. The film is based in part on the eyewitness account of Dr. Miklos Nyiszli (He is pictured wearing the white lab coat in the photo that was taken after the camp was liberated by the Russians.)  Dr. Nyiszli was a Hungarian Jew selected by Dr. Josef Mengele to be the head pathologist at Auschwitz while Mengele carried out his infamous experiments on children who were twins. The film showcases the moral dilemma of the Sonderkommando Jews and follows their plans to carry out the armed revolt that blew up two of the crematoriums at Auschwitz. Please post your reflections about the film.

PERIOD 2: SOPHIE'S CHOICE

What would you have done if you had been in Sophie's shoes and why? Please do not comment on anyone else's post.

PERIOD 4: SOPHIE'S CHOICE

What would you have done if you had been in Sophie's shoes and why? Please do not comment on anyone else's post.

PERIOD 6: SOPHIE'S CHOICE

What would you have done if you had been in Sophie's shoes and why? Please do not comment on anyone else's post.

PERIOD 2: UPRISING

Between July 22nd and September 12th of 1942, the German authorities deported more than 400,000 Jews who were living in the Warsaw ghetto. The Germans then began the second phase of their operation to remove the remaining Jews from the Warsaw ghetto on April 19, 1943, the eve of Passover. The renewal of deportations was the signal for an armed uprising within the ghetto. The German command originally estimated that it would only take them a few days to put down the resistance. Standing against tanks and seasoned combat troops, the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising lasted for more than a month. In your post cite what you learned that you did not know before watching the film.

PERIOD 4: UPRISING

Between July 22nd and September 12th of 1942, the German authorities deported more than 400,000 Jews who were living in the Warsaw ghetto. The Germans then began the second phase of their operation to remove the remaining Jews from the Warsaw ghetto on April 19, 1943, the eve of Passover. The renewal of deportations was the signal for an armed uprising within the ghetto. The German command originally estimated that it would only take them a few days to put down the resistance. Standing against tanks and seasoned combat troops, the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising lasted for more than a month. In your post cite what you learned that you did not know before watching the film.

PERIOD 6: UPRISING

Between July 22nd and September 12th of 1942, the German authorities deported more than 400,000 Jews who were living in the Warsaw ghetto. The Germans then began the second phase of their operation to remove the remaining Jews from the Warsaw ghetto on April 19, 1943, the eve of Passover. The renewal of deportations was the signal for an armed uprising within the ghetto. The German command originally estimated that it would only take them a few days to put down the resistance. Standing against tanks and seasoned combat troops, the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising lasted for more than a month. In your post cite what you learned that you did not know before watching the film.

PERIOD 2: ROAD TO TREBLINKA

You've just watched, "The Road to Treblinka" from the documentary, NAZIS: A WARNING FROM HISTORY. It is said, “The reality of the history of the Nazis is far harder to explain than the popular conception of a nation led astray by Hitler. That the Nazi philosophy of obedience, seizure and struggle had appeal in the thirties and can still appeal to millions today.” Do you agree with that statement? In addition - please answer the question, "What did you learn that you did not know before watching the film?"

PERIOD 4: ROAD TO TREBLINKA

You've just watched, "The Road to Treblinka" from the documentary, NAZIS: A WARNING FROM HISTORY. It is said, “The reality of the history of the Nazis is far harder to explain than the popular conception of a nation led astray by Hitler. That the Nazi philosophy of obedience, seizure and struggle had appeal in the thirties and can still appeal to millions today.” Do you agree with that statement? In addition - please answer the question, "What did you learn that you did not know before watching the film?"

PERIOD 6: ROAD TO TREBLINKA

You've just watched, "The Road to Treblinka" from the documentary, NAZIS: A WARNING FROM HISTORY. It is said, “The reality of the history of the Nazis is far harder to explain than the popular conception of a nation led astray by Hitler. That the Nazi philosophy of obedience, seizure and struggle had appeal in the thirties and can still appeal to millions today.” Do you agree with that statement? In addition - please answer the question, "What did you learn that you did not know before watching the film?"

PERIOD 2: THE PIANIST

The motion picture, The Pianist, is based upon the true life story of Wladyslaw Szpilman and his family. Mr. Szpilman was one of the most accomplished musicians in Poland before the Nazis attacked the country in 1939. The film does an excellent job of explaining why it became impossible for the Jewish people living in Europe to escape the Nazis and showcases the plight of hundreds of thousands of Jews forced to live in the Warsaw ghetto. What did you learn from the film that you did not know before?

PERIOD 4: THE PIANIST

The motion picture, The Pianist, is based upon the true life story of Wladyslaw Szpilman and his family. Mr. Szpilman was one of the most accomplished musicians in Poland before the Nazis attacked the country in 1939. The film does an excellent job of explaining why it became impossible for the Jewish people living in Europe to escape the Nazis and showcases the plight of hundreds of thousands of Jews forced to live in the Warsaw ghetto. What did you learn from the film that you did not know before?

PERIOD 6: THE PIANIST

The motion picture, The Pianist, is based upon the true life story of Wladyslaw Szpilman and his family.  Mr. Szpilman was one of the most accomplished musicians in Poland before the Nazis attacked the country in 1939.  The film does an excellent job of explaining why it became impossible for the Jewish people living in Europe to escape the Nazis and showcases the plight of hundreds of thousands of Jews forced to live in the Warsaw ghetto.  What did you learn from the film that you did not know before?

PERIOD 2: AMERICA AND THE HOLOCAUST

Complex social and political factors shaped America's response to the Holocaust, from Kristallnacht in 1938 through the liberation of the death camps in 1945. For a short time, the U.S. had an opportunity to open its doors, but instead erected a "paper wall," a bureaucratic maze that prevented all but a few Jewish refugees from entering the country. When do you think the government should have become involved in helping the Jews and what should it have done? What were the factors that prevented the government from helping Jewish refugees enter the country?

PERIOD 4: AMERICA AND THE HOLOCAUST

Complex social and political factors shaped America's response to the Holocaust, from Kristallnacht in 1938 through the liberation of the death camps in 1945. For a short time, the U.S. had an opportunity to open its doors, but instead erected a "paper wall," a bureaucratic maze that prevented all but a few Jewish refugees from entering the country. When do you think the government should have become involved in helping the Jews and what should it have done? What were the factors that prevented the government from helping Jewish refugees enter the country?

PERIOD 6: AMERICA AND THE HOLOCAUST

Complex social and political factors shaped America's response to the Holocaust, from Kristallnacht in 1938 through the liberation of the death camps in 1945. For a short time, the U.S. had an opportunity to open its doors, but instead erected a "paper wall," a bureaucratic maze that prevented all but a few Jewish refugees from entering the country. When do you think the government should have become involved in helping the Jews and what should it have done? What were the factors that prevented the government from helping Jewish refugees enter the country?

PERIOD 2: MILGRAM EXPERIMENT

Dr. Stanley Milgram defined obedience as “the psychological mechanism that links individual action to political purpose.” What do you think encourages obedience? Is it fear of punishment; a desire to please; or is it a need to go along with the group? As some students watched the film Obedience, they laughed at the people receiving the shocks. How do you account for that laughter? Is it because something was funny or was there another reason? Those who study human behavior say that laughter can be a way of relieving tension, showing embarrassment or expressing relief that someone else is “on the spot.” Which explanation is most appropriate in this case? How did some of the volunteers act as they administered the shocks? What pressures were placed on them as the experiment continued? How and when did they decide to stop? Did you identify with any of the volunteers you observed in Obedience? What did you learn that you didn't know before you watched this film?

PERIOD 4: MILGRAM EXPERIMENT

Dr. Stanley Milgram defined obedience as “the psychological mechanism that links individual action to political purpose.” What do you think encourages obedience? Is it fear of punishment; a desire to please; or is it a need to go along with the group? As some students watched the film Obedience, they laughed at the people receiving the shocks. How do you account for that laughter? Is it because something was funny or was there another reason? Those who study human behavior say that laughter can be a way of relieving tension, showing embarrassment or expressing relief that someone else is “on the spot.” Which explanation is most appropriate in this case? How did some of the volunteers act as they administered the shocks? What pressures were placed on them as the experiment continued? How and when did they decide to stop? Did you identify with any of the volunteers you observed in Obedience? What did you learn that you didn't know before you watched this film?

PERIOD 6: MILGRAM EXPERIMENT

Dr. Stanley Milgram defined obedience as “the psychological mechanism that links individual action to political purpose.” What do you think encourages obedience? Is it fear of punishment; a desire to please; or is it a need to go along with the group? As some students watched the film Obedience, they laughed at the people receiving the shocks. How do you account for that laughter? Is it because something was funny or was there another reason? Those who study human behavior say that laughter can be a way of relieving tension, showing embarrassment or expressing relief that someone else is “on the spot.” Which explanation is most appropriate in this case? How did some of the volunteers act as they administered the shocks? What pressures were placed on them as the experiment continued? How and when did they decide to stop? Did you identify with any of the volunteers you observed in Obedience? What did you learn that you didn't know before you watched this film?

PERIOD 2: THE SWING KIDS

For several days you have been watching "The Swing Kids." What did you learn from the film that you didn't know before and what did you think was the most important message of the film?

PERIOD 4: THE SWING KIDS

For several days you have been watching "The Swing Kids." What did you learn from the film that you didn't know before and what did you think was the most important message of the film?

PERIOD 6: THE SWING KIDS

For several days you have been watching "The Swing Kids." What did you learn from the film that you didn't know before and what did you think was the most important message of the film?

PERIOD 2: Resi Kraus

You have been watching the BBC documentary, The Rise of the Nazis - A Warning from History. Please share your thoughts about the segment on the Gestapo that you saw today. What did you think of the interview with Resi Kraus?

PERIOD 4: Resi Kraus

You have been watching the BBC documentary, The Rise of the Nazis - A Warning from History. Please share your thoughts about the segment on the Gestapo that you saw today. What did you think of the interview with Resi Kraus?

PERIOD 6: Resi Kraus

You have been watching the BBC documentary, The Rise of the Nazis - A Warning from History. Please share your thoughts about the segment on the Gestapo that you saw today. What did you think of the interview with Resi Kraus?

PERIOD 2: THE LONGEST HATRED

You recently viewed the PBS documentary The Longest Hatred in class. What did you learn that you did not know before watching the film?

PERIOD 4: THE LONGEST HATRED

You recently viewed the PBS documentary The Longest Hatred in class. What did you learn that you did not know before watching the film?

PERIOD 6: THE LONGEST HATRED

You recently viewed the PBS documentary The Longest Hatred in class. What did you learn that you did not know before watching the film?

PERIOD 2: FREEDOM WRITERS

In the beginning of the film you saw Ms. Gruwell's department head suggest that she not to wear her pearls to class. The English teacher commented on them as well. Later we notice that she wore them to class on the first day of school. Why do you think she was given the advice and why do you think she ignored it? Also, you heard Ms. Gruwell ask her students if they were aware of the Holocaust after she saw an ugly picture being passed around the class. Why do you think almost none of the students had ever heard of the Holocaust? At one point she is having a conversation with her department chair about giving her students new books. What was the importance of that discussion? Finally, what do you think is the most important message of the film?

PERIOD 4: FREEDOM WRITERS

In the beginning of the film you saw Ms. Gruwell's department head suggest that she not to wear her pearls to class. The English teacher commented on them as well. Later we notice that she wore them to class on the first day of school. Why do you think she was given the advice and why do you think she ignored it? Also, you heard Ms. Gruwell ask her students if they were aware of the Holocaust after she saw an ugly picture being passed around the class. Why do you think almost none of the students had ever heard of the Holocaust? At one point she is having a conversation with her department chair about giving her students new books. What was the importance of that discussion? Finally, what do you think is the most important message of the film?

PERIOD 6: FREEDOM WRITERS

In the beginning of the film you saw Ms. Gruwell's department head suggest that she not to wear her pearls to class. The English teacher commented on them as well. Later we notice that she wore them to class on the first day of school. Why do you think she was given the advice and why do you think she ignored it? Also, you heard Ms. Gruwell ask her students if they were aware of the Holocaust after she saw an ugly picture being passed around the class. Why do you think almost none of the students had ever heard of the Holocaust? At one point she is having a conversation with her department chair about giving her students new books. What was the importance of that discussion? Finally, what do you think is the most important message of the film?

PERIOD 2: 12 ANGRY MEN

Over the past two days you have watched the film “12 Angry Men.” Please share with the class what you think is the most important message of the film.

PERIOD 4: 12 ANGRY MEN

Over the past two days you have watched the film “12 Angry Men.” Please share with the class what you think is the most important message of the film.

PERIOD 6: 12 ANGRY MEN

Over the past two days you have watched the film “12 Angry Men.” Please share with the class what you think is the most important message of the film.

PERIOD 2: MRS. ELLIOT

You have been watching the documentary, A Class Divided. Please post a reflective comment about the film. What did you personally take away from this documentary?

PERIOD 4: MRS. ELLIOT

You have been watching the documentary, A Class Divided. Please post a reflective comment about the film. What did you personally take away from this documentary?

PERIOD 6: MRS. ELLIOT

You have been watching the documentary, A Class Divided. Please post a reflective comment about the film. What did you personally take away from this documentary?

PERIOD 2: CHILDREN'S MARCH

You recently watched the documentary, The Children's March. Please post any thoughts you have about the film.

PERIOD 4: CHILDREN'S MARCH

You recently watched the documentary, The Children's March. Please post any thoughts you have about the film.

PERIOD 6: CHILDREN'S MARCH

You recently watched the documentary, The Children's March. Please post any thoughts you have about the film.

PERIOD 2: IN THE WHITE MAN'S IMAGE

“By 1871, the federal government stopped signing treaties with Native Americans and replaced the treaty system with a law giving individual Indians ownership of land that had been tribal property. This "Indian Homestead Act," official known as the Dawes Act, was a way for some Indians to become U.S. citizens.  This created complex problems for Native Americans.  What did you learn from watching the documentary, "In the White Man's Image?"

PERIOD 4: IN THE WHITE MAN'S IMAGE

“By 1871, the federal government stopped signing treaties with Native Americans and replaced the treaty system with a law giving individual Indians ownership of land that had been tribal property. This "Indian Homestead Act," official known as the Dawes Act, was a way for some Indians to become U.S. citizens.  This created complex problems for Native Americans.  What did you learn from watching the documentary, "In the White Man's Image?"

PERIOD 6: IN THE WHITE MAN'S IMAGE

“By 1871, the federal government stopped signing treaties with Native Americans and replaced the treaty system with a law giving individual Indians ownership of land that had been tribal property. This "Indian Homestead Act," official known as the Dawes Act, was a way for some Indians to become U.S. citizens.  This created complex problems for Native Americans.  What did you learn from watching the documentary, "In the White Man's Image?"